Quote Originally Posted by Acedink View Post
also, how good are those metal clamps that they sell at Petsmart? Looks like the bottom slips up under the top plastic of the tank and then the top part notches over the lid. I saw a video review of a different one (1 plastic piece inserted underneath the top part, and then a second plastic piece clipped on to that, and then it could slide on/off) that looked VERY flimsy.
I've never trusted those clips either. IF you weigh down the lid, you don't do it with something heavy in the middle. That makes the screen sag & as you now know,
the sides can still be pushed up just enough. Assuming the tank is rectangular, you weigh it down at each end, with something that's slightly longer than the cage is
wide going across for support (so the weight isn't on the screen but on the sides of the tank) and THEN put something heavier than a snake can lift on each side. Best
to error on the side of caution (a little heavier than you think possible).

For store-bought screen tops you can also strap them down, even w/ bungee cords, attaching them to the base that the tank sits on. Metal strapping that plumbers
use is useful too, in a pinch: it has holes that can easily be hooked into, so cut 2 pieces that fit under tank with a couple inches folding up on either side to hook into.

Most of my tanks have tops I made of wood (frame) with welded wire, & I attach eye-bolts to each corner & run a light chain (w/ snap-bolt clip like on a dog leash)
to eye-bolts installed in the wood cabinet the tank sits on. Nothing can push MY lids off when the chains are attached...